Valley Motorcycle Touring Association

Group Riding Procedures

 

1.         Road Captain will conduct a briefing at the beginning of ride to inform group of the ride destination, CB channel, planned stops and any other pertinent ride information.

 

2.         When there are 10 or more bikes or the situation dictates, group should break into smaller groups of five or six bikes.  Bikes with trailers should break into groups of four.

 

3.         Group should ride in staggered formation unless otherwise direct by the Road Captain.  (If traveling on a two lane road, the best way to avoid danger would be a single file with a two second interval between motorcycles.)

 

4.         Maintain proper following distance to prevent the “yo-yo” or accordion effect.

 

4.        Road Captain should select road stops.  Group should stop after riding approximately 100 miles for rest on longer trips.  The group should stay together.

 

5.         First time riders should be positioned near the rear of the group near an experienced rider.

 

6.         Slower riders should be positioned near the front of the group.

 

7.         No rider should pull out of formation, other than for an emergency, without first notifying the road captain.   If the biker does not have a CB, he should motion his intentions to the nearest biker.

 

8.         In the event of a breakdown, only the tail gunner will stop with the disabled bike while the rest of the group proceeds to the next available safe stopping area.  The bike in front of the tail gunner should assume the tail gunner roll.

 

9.         The tail gunner will inform the group of traffic from the rear. 

 

10.      The Ride Captain will inform the group of oncoming traffic, road conditions and hazards via CB or hand signals.  Other riders in the group must remember to pass-back all such communications via hand signals to benefit those without CBs.   The Road Captain is responsible for the safety of the group.  However, safety is every person’s (rider and passenger) responsibility.  Each rider should watch out for themselves as well as the other members in the group.

 

11.       Ride Captains will begin the ride at a slow safe speed to allow the group to come together.  The captain will then set the speed no higher that the speed posted on the road.

 

12.       The group should obey city and town speed limits.  This helps to keep a good image of the VMTA and motorcycle riders in general. 

 

 13.      Breakout Groups:  Individual riders should let the Ride Captain know that they are going ahead.  They will at that time designate a Road Captain for the breakout group and the next stopping place for re-grouping with the original group.

Be Safe!!!